California State University, Stanislaus
IN-47: Innovation A

The Council for Sustainable Futures was granted funds from the university's Innovate, Design, Excel & Assess for Success (IDEAS) program, which was designed to promote inclusive innovation and growth and aimed at finding local solutions for local problems and promoting the goals of the University's new strategic plan. The funds were used to purchase 600 copies of Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. The Sustainability Coordinator and Student Assistants distributed the book at department meetings during the fall 2019 and spring 2020 semesters with the goal of introducing a common language (literacy) that would allow the campus community to share ideas, learn together, and support existing and future sustainability efforts. The meetings included an explanation of sustainability as a concept, an invitation to participate in campus sustainability initiatives, an overview of the STARS data collection process, and a discussion designed to invite ideas and procure feedback about employee's understanding of the economic, environmental and social justice dimensions of sustainability. The social justice dimension was emphasized to facilitate understanding of the interconnectedness of social justice with environmental and economic sustainability. This program supported a positive response to requests for information for STARS, the launch of a Green Office program, a complete overhaul of the campus' external recycling program, and attendance at Earth Week Events in April, 2020. The Council for Sustainable Futures plans to purchase and distribute Braiding Sweetgrass to faculty in fall 2020 to engage faculty in efforts to infuse sustainability into the curriculum and utilize the campus as a living lab.